Dear Friend 

Reflection by Dianne M. Traflet, J.D., S.T.D.

Be Aflame with Love 

This Lent, we’ve been introduced to images from the Holy Land, and in the process, we’ve glimpsed into the hearts of seminarians here at Immaculate Conception Seminary.  What a gift that has been, and what an inspiration.  Consider Carlos Penagos who wrote of his desire to be “a better missionary disciple where people will see in me someone who loves Christ and His Church.  When people ask me: "Who is Christ for you?", I can answer like Peter, “Jesus is ‘the Messiah, the Son of the living God’” (Mt. 16:16).

Carlos continued: “I want this answer to be given with my heart and reflected in my life’s example. I want it to be known that I believe in these words and that Jesus is indeed my Messiah, and He is the Son of my living God.”

Let us pray that God grant this beautiful desire. May our seminarians’ hearts be aflame with love of the Son of the living God, and may their journeys to the priesthood bring them ever closer to the heart of Christ and His Church.

May we ask our Blessed Mother, the Mother of the Eternal Priest, and our Mother, to intercede for them and inspire them to be good, holy priests. Perhaps we all could offer one day this Lent to pray specifically for Carlos and all the men who are studying for the priesthood. 

“Our Lady…. Give strength to all candidates for the priesthood. Inspire priestly vocations and never allow the flame of faith and of virtue to be extinguished.”  Amen.

--by Monsignor Adam Ott,  a priest of cell block 26, written in Dachau Concentration Camp, 1943.

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Dianne M. Traflet, J.D., S.T.D., Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Administration and Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology, earned a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law, an M.A. in Catholic Theology and Pastoral Ministry from The Institute of Advanced Studies of Catholic Doctrine, St. John's University, and an S.T.L. and an S.T.D. from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (The Angelicum), Rome. Dr. Traflet is a key leader in the Center for Diaconal Formation, and she gives numerous lectures, retreats, and days of recollection, including some specific to wives of deacons and deacon candidates. She is the author of Edith Stein: A Spiritual Portrait (Pauline Media, 2008).